Kanthal is an alloy of mainly iron and chromium (20–30 %), aluminium (4–7,5 %). Kanthal was developed by Hans von Kantzow in Hallstahammar. In 1931 the company Kanthal AB was started. The name "Kanthal" is composed of Kantzow and Hallstahammar. The alloy is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures and having great electric resistance. As such, it is frequently used in heating elements.

Kanthal sell the so-called "Kanthal Super" molybdenum disilicide MoSi₂ elements as well for very high temperatures up to .

Siliconcarbide (SiC) elements is also manufactured by Kanthal for temperatures up to .

Ordinary Kanthal has a melting point of . Special grades has a melting point as high as .

Kanthal AB is now part of the Sandvik AB company.

Here is some experimental data (un-verified, but relatively, not exactly accurate):

Temperature    Resistance  A/l    Resistivity    Conductivity

Kanthal Alloy (C) (Ohm) (m) (Ohm m) (Ohm m)-1 ln (s) T (K) 1/ T (K-1)

T1 = 0 C  4 87.00 1.27E-08 1.10E-06 905059.28 13.72 277  3.61E-03

T2 = 25 C 35 86.90 1.27E-08 1.10E-06 906100.78 13.72 308 3.25E-03

T3 = 50 C 56 87.00 1.27E-08 1.10E-06 905059.28 13.72 329 3.04E-03

T4 = 75 C 80 85.90 1.27E-08 1.09E-06 916649.10 13.73 353 2.83E-03

T5 = 100 C 98 85.20 1.27E-08 1.08E-06 924180.25 13.74 371 2.70E-03

T6 = 125 C 110 86.50 1.27E-08 1.10E-06 910290.84 13.72 383 2.61E-03

See also

• Nichrome

References

External links

• Company's website